Apparatus for affixing stamps to wooden packages.



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w; T. MATHEws. APPARATUS FDR AFFIXING STAMPS T0 WOODEN PACKAGES.

(Application ined mr. v22, 1900.

2 Sheets- Sheet 2.

(lo Modal.)

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'Il .All H NiTnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM T. MATHEWS, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

APPARATUS IFOR AFFIXING STAIVIPSTO WOODEN PACKAGES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 668,996, dated February 26, 1901.

Application filed March 22, 1900. Serial No. 9,689. (No model.)

To all whom, zit' may concern:

Beit known that I, IVILLIAM T. MATHEWS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rochester, in the county of Monroe, in the State of New York, having invented an Improved Apparatus for AffiXing Stamps to Wooden Packages, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to an improved apparatus for securing paper stamps or labels to wooden packages, and is designed more particularly for securing the required stamps to barrels or kegs of ale, beer, or other liquids, but capable of many other applications.

My invention is fully described and illustrated in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, the novel features thereof being specified in the claims annexed to the said specification.

In the accompanying drawings, representing my invention, Figure l is a side elevation, partly in section. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section, on an enlarged scale, showing the feeding mechanism. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3 3, Fig. 2, showing the parts below that line. Fig. 4 is a partial vertical section showing the plunger down in the position it occupies while securing the seal over the stamp or label. Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 5 5, Fig. 4, showing the punches and dies in the operation of forming the teeth of the seal. Fig. 6 represents the end of a keg with the stamp secured thereon.

In the operation of my improved apparatus I employa ribbon or chainAof seals C, which are automatically fed forward, punched, cut off, and secured to the package by the reciprocating motion of the plungerB. As indicated in Fig. 3, the ribbon A consists of a series of seals C, nearly circular in outline, but connected together at their adjacent edges by a tongue of the material employed. The ribbon or seal maybe formed of any suitable sheet metal, such as thin steel or tinplate, and the indentations along the edges of the ribbon may be'made by any suitable punches and dies or other machinery. The ribbon is stored by being coiled within a suitable case or receptacle D, from which it is led down around a suitable guide E and passes between the frame-bars F into position to be advanced one seal at a time by the reciprocating feed-pawl G over the die Hand under the punches I, by which the projecting teeth J are cut out from it, so that when the toothed seal is finally separated from the ribbon by the descent of the plunger the prongs or teeth are driven into the wood by the lower end of the plunger. The operation is thus in all respects automatic,-and the seals may be affixed as rapidly as the plunger can be reciprocated.

K is a tube in which the plunger B slides and to which the case D is attached. The case D is provided with a suitable door, which may be hinged and secured by a suitable catch. The receptacle or case D is provided with a central boss W, which may revolve with the ribbon of seals coiled thereon.

L, Fig. l, is a handle attached to the case, by which the operator manipulates the instrument with one hand while operating the plunger with the other. A spring M may be employed on the plunger at the upper end of the tube K to reduce the shock and to withdraw the punches from the seal. The stripper X consists of a plate secured to the frame of the machine and perforated to allow the punches I to pass through. The ribbon passes beneath the said stripper, which serves to hold the seal in place while the punches are being withdrawn. The plunger carries an arm N, provided with a roller P, which acts on the bent lever Q to operate the feedpawl G to advance the ribbon of seals step by step. At the lower end of the reciprocation the lower end of the bent lever Q is forced outward by the roller P and the pawl G engages in the notches in the edge of the ribbon, so that when the roller P is moved upward it strikes the upper end of the lever Q and the pawl G will be swung inward and the ribbon advanced one seal. The pawl is provided with two points R, which engage in the notches or indentations on the opposite sides of the ribbon. A spring S on the pawl swings the points R down, so that they engage with the ribbon. The bent lever Q is pivoted at T between the frame-bars F F, which extend from the case D down to an arm U, attached to the lower end of the tube K and serving to support the die I-I in proper IOO relation With the punches I I. The punches and dies are so shaped that they operate to cut out of each seal the triangular teeth or projections J, which are driven into the Wood to secure the seal thereto. The punches are inserted and secured in any suitable way in the block V, attached to the plunger. The edge of the die H serves to cut off each seal from its neighbor as lthe plunger passes by it in descending.

In Fig. 6 the revenue-stamp is represented at S', and a seal, by Which it is fastened to the package, at C', and a label D may also be affixed by the same seal.

Y is a guide which fits a groove in the plunger and insures the proper alinemen't of the punches With the die.

A double-hooked pavvl U is pivoted in a recess in the arm U below the ribbon A, the teeth being arranged to engage in the indentations along the sides of the said ribbon and prevent reverse movement of the latter.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made in the construction of my invention Without departure from the principles thereof. The punches and dies may be of diiferent shapes or of greater number, the circular form of the seal is not essential, and a single tooth or projection on the seal may be employed.

I claiml. The combination With the reciprocating plunger provided with the punch or punches and the arm adapted to actuate the feed mechanism, the die, the pivoted bent lever provided with the VpaWl for advancing the ribbon, the ribbon-receptacle, and suitable connecting-framework, whereby the descent of said plunger severs the seal and causes the teeth to be punched on the next seal, as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination With the reciprocating plunger provided with the punch or punches and the arm adapted to actuate the feed mechanism, the die, the pivoted bent lever provided With the pavvl for advancing the ribbon, the ribbon-receptacle, the pivoted pawl arranged to prevent reverse motion of the ribbon, and suitable connecting-frame- Work, as and for the purposes set forth.

3. The combination With the reciprocating plunger provided With. the punch or punches and the arm adapted to actuate the feed mechanism, the tube for the plunger, the die, the pivoted bent lever provided with the double pawl, the ribbon-receptacle,.the spring arranged to raise the plunger and disengage the punch from the seal and die, the stripper, means for preventing the reverse movement of the ribbon, and suitable connecting-framework, as and for'the purposes set forth.

VILLIAM T. MATHENVS.

Witnesses:

E. N. CURTICE, Jr., GEO. B. SELDEN. 

